The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has committed to assisting Romania in designing and implementing future renewable energy auctions, marking a significant step in the country’s push towards renewable energy expansion. The partnership was formalized with a Memorandum of Understanding signed by Romania’s Energy Minister Sebastian Burduja and EBRD’s Victoria Zinchuk.
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EBRD’s Role in Romania’s Renewable Energy Expansion
With support from the EBRD, Romania launched its first renewable energy auction in September 2023. The auction aimed to secure 1.5 GW of renewable energy generation capacity, including 500 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) and 1 GW of onshore wind. The auction introduced a Contract for Difference (CfD) mechanism, encouraging renewable energy investment and highlighting Romania’s commitment to expanding capacity.
The MoU outlines additional collaborative steps between Romania and the EBRD, including a second round of renewable energy auctions by 2025, the development of a support scheme for storage capacities like pumped storage hydropower, and competitive storage tenders. Regulatory reforms will be necessary to integrate storage capacities into the grid, enabling their participation in energy markets.
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Sebastian Burduja said, “This partnership will facilitate the creation of a modern energy system, capable of meeting Romania’s energy needs and fostering investments in renewable sources, including through the initiation of a new round of auctions for capacities totalling 3,500 MW. It represents a decisive step toward ensuring the energy stability and resilience that are more crucial than ever.”
The partnership supports Romania’s climate goals, aiming for 38.3% renewable energy in gross final consumption by 2030 under the NECP. Furthermore, Romania’s draft energy strategy seeks to increase the share of low-carbon energy to 44% by 2035.
Through its Renewable Energy Programme, the EBRD helps countries, including Romania, develop policies and auction frameworks to attract private investment. The bank has supported 15 auctions in 16 countries, enabling the deployment of over 5,000 MW of renewable capacity.
In Romania, the EBRD has financed almost 1 GW of renewable capacity through six projects, amounting to over €180 million. This has attracted nearly €1 billion in additional funding. The EBRD has invested nearly €11.5 billion in 550 Romanian projects, reinforcing its commitment to sustainable energy and economic growth.